Soldering machine



July 25, 1939. A s||M|D1 2,167,006 v I soLDERING MACHINE Filed July 16', 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 M s" v m 33 m '52 v v gg @e N n C s q au m2 n Q en, e Q

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July 25, 1939. A. scHMlD'r soLDEnING MACHINE Filed July 16, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 /N VENTO/e b m505 Hmmn @i TTOR EY Julyzs, 1939. -AsHwDT 2,167,006

SOLDERING MACHINE Filed July 16, 19374 8 sheets-sheet s a5 146 /64 a5 a6 [NI/ENTOR Agr-RED cHmDT TTO NEY July 25, 1939.

SOLDERING MACHINE Filed July 16, 1937 8 SheefbS-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Ar RNE? A. SCHMIDT 2,167,006

July 25, 1939. l 'Y A, SCHMIDT f 2,167,006

SOLDERING MACHINE Filed July 16, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 you 24 9/ m70I la7 123 179 ID ,@Q, 9/ 95 [24m 9/ [33 9' CARRIAGE CLIP RAISER WIRE WIRE WIRE s'roP sTAeILIzsR FEEDER CUTTER RELEASE n ggg@ l5 24o 241 SOLDER CARRIAGEl SOLDER CARRIAGE FINISHED CELL MOVER LIFTER EJECTOR p Eg. 5f

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[NI/ENTOR Jly 25, 1939. A SCIHMlD-r 2,167,006

SOLDERING MACHINE Filed July 16, 1957 s slleets-srmtv 6 NVENTO/x.

A RNEY July 25, 1939. A, SCHMlD-r 2,167,006

SOLDERING MACHINE Filed July 1e, 1937 8 sheets-sheet 7 ALFRED SCHMIDT A ORNE Y July 25, 1939.

A. scHMlD-r 2,167,006

SOLDERING MACHINE Filed July 16, 19:57 8 sheets-sheet 8 /N VENTO/e A T RNE Y Patented July 25, 1939 UNITED .STATES PATENT orifice l Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a soldering machine, and has more particular reference to a soldering machine for soldering a small length of conductor wire to the single shell of a battery cell.

It is an object oi this invention to characterize the soldering machine by the fact that it has a flexible endless conveyor for holding battery cells or the like, to which a plurality of conductor wire clamps are associated in a manner so that a conductor wire for each of the cells is held against the cell throughout the soldering and subsequent cooling period of the operation of the machine.

Heretofore machines have been made which were capable of soldering conductor wires to battery cells, but the Wires and cells were required to maintain their soldering positions until the solder became cool. Necessarily, this slows down the operation of the machine, or conversely, if the machine operates too rapidly the solder is not given a sufcient time to cool and consequently the conductor wires fall off from the shells. The provision of clamps on the flexible conveyor permits the battery cells with the soldered conductor wires to be moved away from the soldering positions While the solder is still soft since the wires and cells are relatively held fixed and there is ample opportunity for the solder to cool and harden in other positions than that in which the solder was applied. Consequently, it is possible to operate a machine embodying this principle at a greater speed.

Furthermore,l the invention proposes to arrange the machine in such a manner that it is capable of treating a plurality of cells at one time, For example, it may treat 5 cells. Specifically, it is proposed that the machine supply proper lengths of conductor wires to the 5 cells, and then solder the conductor wires in position upon the 5 cells, and repeat the operation for a new group of 5 cells. ln this manner the speed of the soldering machine is increased without increasing the actual speed of operation of individual parts. Merely more cells are being handled at one time.

The invention further proposes the association in a soldering machine as mentioned of a means for causing the flexible endless conveyor to progressively move forwards in steps of a pre-determined number of cells arranged in a manner to automatically realign the endless conveyor into proper timing position if accidentally the conveyor is forced out of time. For example, should some part become jammed in the machine and the machine caused to be stopped, the conveyor may (Cil. 113-59) have been forced out of correct timing position. But with the arrangement, according toA this invention, merely upon starting of the machine the conveyor will first seek its proper position before the other parts of the machine go into operation.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision in a soldering machine as mentioned of a means for opening the Wire clamps along a predetermined section of the conveyor, particularly at a wire feeding' position so that the conductor wires may be fed to the clamps.

Furthermore, the invention proposes the provision in a soldering machine of means for feeding the conductor wires through the open clamps to positions adjacent the battery cells so that subsequently, upon closing of the clamps the conductor wires will be held in proper positions for being soldered.

Still further the invention proposes the provision in a soldering machine as mentioned of rolls of conductor wires for the supplying of conductor wires to the battery cells, and the provision of a means for cutting the clamping conductor wires free from the rolls so that the machine may then proceed to solder on the cut pieces of conductor wires to the cells.

Another one oi the objects of this invention resides in the provision of a container for flux and a container for molten solder, and an arrangement for picking up drops of the flux and solder and dropping them in proper positions on the battery cells and conductor wires which are lto be soldered. It is proposed to so arrange the timing of the parts that the flux is rst applied for insuring a good solder connection.

The invention also proposes the provision in a soldering machine as described of a means for opening the clamps on the endless conveyor after the solder has become cool and hard so that the finished cells may be ejected from the machine.

Another object of this invention consists in the provision in a soldering machine as mentioned of means for rigidly and rmly holding that section of the flexible conveyor at the wire feeding position only while the conveyor is stationary and the conductor wires are being fed to a group of the cells on the conveyor.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision in a machine as described of an abrasive member located at a positionV before the wire feeding position of the machine and arranged to clean spots on the cells at which the conductor wires will rest to be soldered.

The invention proposes many additional features and advantages too numerous to mention Cil Yat the wire feeding position.

at this point, but they will become apparent as this specification proceeds.

For further comprehension` of the invention, and of the objects and advantagesthereof, reference will be had' to the following description and accompanying drawings andto the appended .view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on the line 6-6 of Fig..5.

Fig. 7 isa sectionalview takenon the line T-T 0f Fig. .6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the VlineV Y8 8 of Fig; 5.

',Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 9- 9 of Fig. 3.

Fig. V10 is a transverse sectional the line I Il-IU of Fig. 3.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line II-ll of Fig. 3.

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view the line l2-I2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken onv the line |3--I3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 yis a fragmentary elevational view looking in the direction of the line |4-I4 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary elevational view lookview takenV on taken on Ving in the direction of the line I5-'l5 of Fig. 12.

v Fig. 16 is a fragmentary plan view looking in the direction of the line IG-IB of Fig. 12.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on the line I'I-I'l of Fig. 16.V

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on the line |8|8 of Fig. 3.y Fig. 19 is av sectional view taken onA the line |9-I9 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 20 is a transverse sectional View taken on the line 20-20 of Fig. 3.

Fig., 21 is a schematic diagramrshowing the timing of the various cams of the machine.

Before going into a detailed explanation of the construction of the machine, a cursory description will Ybe given so that one has a general idea of its operation. The soldering machine, according to this invention, includes a flexib-le endless conveyor 25 for holding battery cells 26 which are supplied to it by a feed chute 21. 'I'here is` a means for causing this conveyor to progressively move forwards in steps of a. predetermined number of battery cells. The particular machine illustrated on the drawings is designed to. handle 5` battery cells at one time. Consequently the conveyor 25 is arranged to move forwards periodically in steps of 5 battery cells. A plurality of conductor wire clamps 28 are mounted on the feed conveyor 25 and are adapted to hold a conductor wire against each battery cell. There is a means for opening said wire clamps 28 along a sectionof the conveyor The conductor wires are drawn from rolls of conductor wires 29, 5 in number, and simultaneously fed to theV 5 battery cells at the wire feeding position. A means is provided for closing the Wire clamps after. the wires have been fed to their positions so as to rigidly clamp portions of the elementsY in proper relation to the battery cells. There isv a wire cutting means which goes into operationV after the wire clamps hold the 5 Wires so that the wires and battery cells are now free and may move along with the endless conveyor.

At a position adjacent the wire feeding position there is a iiux applying position. At this position there are 5 flux supplying fingers 30 supported on a carriager 3| Varranged to reciprocate in a manner so that theY 5 fingers first dip into a supply of flux and then touch the battery cells at the points at which solder is to be ap'- plied. VAdjacent the flux position there is a soldering position. The solder is applied by the 5 fingers 32 which are also mounted on the car- Vriage 3| and operated by the same mechanism.

These fingers first dip into a supply of molten I solder and then move over and touch the battery cells at'the points at which thesolder is to be applied.

After the solder applying position there is an idling position which may be of any length, de-

termined merely by the time required for theY solder to cool. After this idling positionthere is a position in which the clamps 28 are opened as by this time lthe solder is suiiiciently hard not to require that the conductor Wire be held in position against the cell. At this point there isY also an ejector arrangement to eject the 5 finished cells, indicated by reference numeral 26a, upon a conveyor 33. This conveyor may or may not be synchronized with the operation of the machine, its fundamental object being merely to convey away the finished cells. Fig. 1 illustrates a finished cell. This cell 26ar comprises a cell properrand a conductor wire 29a projecting therefrom and soldered thereon by ysolder 34. f

The detailed descriptionof the soldering machine is as follows: The soldering machine has. a horizontal rectangular frame 35 whichv is supported by several legs 3E. A pair o-f spaced stand- `ards 31 are mounted on one of the ends of the frame 35, and another pair of spaced standards 38 is mounted on the other end of the frame 35.

Shafts 39 and 4I] are rotatively mounted between these standards. Upon the shaft 38 there are sprocket wheels 4| (see Fig. 5) and upon the shaft 4B there are sprocket wheels 42 (see Fig. 18). Be-

tween these sprocket Wheels the endless conveyor n. 25 is mounted. This endless conveyor is arranged horizontal wall 44. Consequently, each of these.V

sections is substantially of L-shape. The battery cells 26 are adapted to rest between the adjacent vertical walls 43 of adjacent sections 25a and upon the base walls. So as to hold the cells 26 relatively stationary on the endless conveyor 1 each of the vertical walls 43 is provided with projecting bo-sses 45 which act merelyas stops or holding elements. At the inner ends of each of the vertical walls 43 there is a longitudinally extending head portion 46.

The clamps 28 are.

mounted upon these head portions as hereinafter more fully described. At the inner and outer ends of the base walls 44 there are downwardly projecting flanges 41 (see Figs. 5 and 20) Track elements 48 are attached to the bottom ends of the iianges 41 and extend towards each other and engage beneath the top flange of a track 55 which extends completely across the frame 35 from end to end (see Figs. 5 and 18). Between each of the anges 41 of each of the conveyor sections' 25 there are a pair of transverse rods 5 I. Rollers 52 are mounted upon these rods and engage the top of the track 5t. It should therefore be understood that the top section of the endless conveyor is supported in substantially a straight line completely across the top of the frame 35. Between the adjacent rods 5| of adjacent conveyor sections 25a there are links 53 (see Fig. 5) which connect the adjacent conveyor sections 25a pivotally together. It is the rods 5I and the links 53 which cooperate with the sprocket wheels 4I for supporting and moving the endless conveyor.

At the ends the track 50 is provided with projecting lips 54 (see Figs. 5 and 18) which extend in between the sprocket wheels 4I and assist in supporting sections of the endless conveyor to positions substantially superimposed of the sprockets 4 I.

The feed chute 21 is supported upon one end of the frame 35 by having its lower end mounted thereon and by reason of being reinforced by a brace 55 which connects between a portion of the chute and the end of the frame 35. The chute 21 comprises several spaced transverse members 21a substantially of rectangular shape in transverse cross section connected together at the corners by angle members 21h. The outer end of the chute is open, as may be seen in Fig. 2. so that the battery cells may be supplied to it. The inner end is partially `closed by longitudinally extending strips 21c so that only a small area 21d is open through which the cells may be straightened out if they happen to become jammed. A longitudinal track 21e extends substantially the entire length of the chute and is held in a predetermined xed position by several screws 21j. This track 21e may be loosened by unscrewing same and then shifted to several different positions as permitted by the additional openings 21g in the base parts. The purpose of shifting the track 21e is to adapt the chute for battery cells of different lengths.

At the discharge end of the chute 21 there is a gate 51 which is hingedly supported by a hinge 58 along its top edge. This gate is resiliently urged closed by a spring 59 (see Fig. 2). This gate is to facilitate the proper discharge of the cells 26 into the endless conveyor without jamming. If parts start to jam the gate is forced open-or the gate may be manually opened if occasion arises. The battery cells 26 fall into the endless conveyor, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. There is also an arrangement upon the endless conveyor for aligning the battery cells and for accommodating cells of different lengths.

This means comprises several standards Si) mounted at spaced positions along the length of the frame 35 and supporting arms 6i which in turn support a longitudinally extending track 62. This track extends downwards and engages' into slots 63 formed in the vertical walls 43 of the conveyor sections 25a. The arms 62 are formed with several openings 64 (see Fig. 3) which provides a selection for shifting the track 62. The track 62 extends substantially the full length of the top section of the endless conveyor, that is, from the feed chute 25 to the discharge end. At the fro-nt end there is a small spring 55 mounted upon the inside face of the track t2 and serving to press each of the cells as they enter the endless conveyor against the lugs 46. Thus, each of the cells will be rmly positioned on the endless conveyor. The track 62 terminates at the point 62a (see Fig. 3) since the remaining portion of the top section of the endless conveyor is utilized to discharge the finished cells, as hereinafter more fully explained.

The means for causing the endless conveyor to progressively move forwards in steps of a predetermined number of battery cells comprises an electric motor or other prime mover 61 mounted upon a support 68 attached upon the legs 36 of the machine. The prime mover 61 is connected by a belt or chain 69 with a speed reduction unit 10 also mounted on the support 68. The speed reduction unit 1E! terminates in a gear 10a which is arranged longitudinally of the machine. A chain 1I connects with this gear and extends upwards over a gear 12 which is fixed on a shaft 13 rotatively supported in a standard 14 mounted on the frame 35. The shaft 13 extends outwards through a rear leg 33 of the machine (see Fig. 10) and at its outer end is provided with a worm gear 15. The gear 12 has a flat face with a friction surface cooperative with the friction surface of an adjacent disc 1B. This disc 16 is fixed on a shaft 11 rotatively supported in a bearing mounted on one of the front feet 36; of the machine.

A gear 1S is carried on the outer end of the shaft 11. The shaft 11 has a reduced outer end 11a upon the extremity of which there is fixed a threaded bushing 19. A bracket is attached on the frame 35 and fixedly is connected with the bushing 19 to support the bushing. The shaft 11, 11a is free to rotate in the bushing. A nut 8! is threadedly mounted on the threaded bushing 19 and engages against a spring 82 which engages against one face of the gear 18. This gear 18 is fixed on the shaft 11 and consequently the urging of the spring 82 is transferred to the shaft 11 and finally serves to urge the friction surfaces of the disc 1B and the gear 12 together. This is a friction drive so that rotations transmitted by the chain 1I may or may not be transmitted to the disc 16, merely depending on the load to be transferred. The shaft 13 is continuously driven by the chain 1l. The gear 18 connects with a chain 83 which extends over a gear 84 mounted upon an extended end 40a of the shaft 45. Consequently, th-e shaft 40 is driven, which in turn by reason of the sprocket gear 42 drives the endless conveyor.

Pegs 85 project from the front face of certain of the sections of the endless conveyor 25, namely, from every fifth section. These pegs 85 are in the path of motion of a latch 86. When the latch is in its r-aised position it stops one of the pegs 85 and so holds the endless conveyor stationary. During this stationary period slippage takes place at the friction clutch 12, 16. The latch 86 may be momentarily lowered and raised a short period of time thereafter, suiciently to cause rotations to be transmitted from the friction clutch 12, 16 to move the conveyor 25. The conveyor will now keep moving until the next peg S5 strikes the latch 86. Thus the conveyor is moving in steps of a predetermined number of battery cells as controlled by the latch 86.

Y .ao

The latch 86 is controlled by a cam 90 (see Fig. 3).V This cam is fixed on a shaft 9| which is rotatively supported in standards 92 mounted on the end portions of the back side of the frame 35. The shaft 9| is provided with a worm gear 93 which meshes with the worm gear 15. Since the worm gear 15 is on the shaft 13 which is being continuously rotated the shaft 9| is continuously moving and so is the cam 90. The cam ,90 is completely circular except for a small projection 90a at one side (see Fig. 21). It is this small projection 90a,v which operates the cam. Adjacent the cam there is a slide member 94 which comprises merelyY a block 94a having a hollowed out portion 94h for receiving the shaft 9| and a plate 94C mounted across the hollowed out portion 94h. The slide 94 is therefore capable of sliding a limited distance transverselyfof the shaft 9|. A guide roller 95 is mounted upon one side of the slide 94 and engages the cam 90. Thus Vwhen the projecting portion 90a of the cam strikes the roller 95 theslide 94 will be moved frontwards.

The slide 94 is connected with a rod 96 which extends through an opening in the side of the framre35 and connects with one end of a bell crank 91 which'is supported intermediate of its ends by a pintle 98. Y I'he other end of the bell crank 91'is formed with a forked portion 99 engaging a pin von the-lower end of the latch 86. 'I'he latch 86 comprises merely a bolt 86a slidable in a casing 86h which is mounted upon a transverse arm 35a of the frame 35. A spring |0`| connects with the bell crank 91 and with a pin mounted on the casing 86h for normally urging the bolt 86a upwards to its operative position.

When the projection 90a moves the slide 94 frontwards the bell crank 91 is pivoted clockwise which draws down the bolt 86a. The projection 90a is of a suiiicient size to permit the peg 85 to pass Vand then immediately the roller 95 rides off the projection 90a and the spring IOI returns the parts to their original position.

The clamps 28 for holding the conductor wires 29 are illustrated in detail in Figs. 13 and 14. Each clamp 28 comprises a clamp arm having a horizontal top portion 28a extending over the lug 46 and a vertical arm 28h slidably mounted within grooves |02 formed in the edge of the vertical wall 46. Pins I 03 (see Figs. 8Y and 14) hold the vertical arms 28h from sliding' out of the grooves |02 Vlimiting motion'of the vertical arm 28h to upwards and downwards. The horizontal arm 28a is provided with a V-shaped wire clamp element |04 adapted to extend into a receiving opening |05 in the lug 46'. This V-shaped element'I04 in conjunction with the opening |05 is capable of clampingV the conductor Ywire 29 tightly in position. A spring |06 is connected between one of the'flanges 41 and the vertical arm 28h for normally urging the clamp into itsA closed position. For each conveyor section 25a there is an identical clamp as just described.

' The means for opening the said wire clamps along a section of said conveyor 25 at the wire feeding position comprises a bar I |11v located immediately below the ends of the vertical arms 28h of those sections of the endless conveyor immediately adjacent the wire feeding mechanism 'as hereinafter more fully described'. This bar |01 extends beneath the clamps of 5 of the conveyor sections 25a as clearly shown in Fig. 13. The bar |01 freely rests on a pair of spaced bars 'I'hese spaced bars |08 extend tranversely of the track 50 and are fixed-ly attached to the track by several screws |09. 'I'he bar |01 has a pair of downwardly extending pegs IIO which pass through openings Yin the bars |08 and which project from the bottoms of these bars. The bottom ends of these pegs I|0 are arranged just above a transverse rod III mounted on a bell crank shaped frame I I2. This bell crank shaped frame comprises merely a pair of bell crank shaped spaced arms ||2a. which are pivotally supported intermediate of their ends by pintles I I3 upon a transverse bar I I4 which is supported by screws II5 to the spaced bars |08. 'I'he bar is merely mounted between the same ends of the bell cranks I|2. The other ends of the bell cranks I I2 are connectedby a bar |6 having end pegs I|1 engaging in slots ||8 in the arms of the bell cranks' |I2a. The bar II6 is supported intermediate of its ends by a standard |I9 on the end of a rod |20. This rod extends out from the back side of the frame 35 and is associated with an operating cam in a particular manner.

More specifically, the bar |20 connects with a slide I2I which is slidably mounted transversely on the shaft 9|. The slide |2I is urged forwards by a spring |22 acting between the slide and the frame 35. On one side of the slide I2I there is a roller |23 which engages with a clip-riser cam |24. This cam is fixed on the shaft 9|. rIt is circular through substantially theV greater part of its periphery but has a projecting portion |240. Which extends substantially through a 90 angular distance and is capable of forcing the slide |2I rearwards so as to move the rod |20 towards the left in Fig. 12 and so pivot the bell. crank frame I|2 clockwise. Then the bar III strikes the pins IIO and forces the bar |01 upwards so that it engages against the lower ends 28h of the 5 clamps 28 and opens the 5 clamps.

The means for rigidly and rmly holding that section of the conveyor 25 which is at the wire feeding position is operated by the cam mechanism which operates the clip riser. It consists of a longitudinally extending bar |26 which is freely supported in recessed areas of the bars |08 so as to be free to be lifted. The bar |26 has projecting pegs |21 extending through openings in the bars |08. There is a second bar parallel to the bar III and also mounted on the bell crank frame I|2 This second bar ||I is adapted to engage the pegs |21 for lifting the bar ,Y The bar |26 has a plurality of resiliently' of the flanges 48 and force the 5 conveyor sections 25a. tightly against the track 50 and so hold these 5 sections rigidly and rmly in position to receive the conductor wire. It should be noted that the cam |24 operates both the* opening of the clamps 28 and the means for rigidly and rmly holding the conveyor sections at the wire feeding position.

The means for feeding the conductor wires through the open clamps 28 to positions adjacent the 5 cells which are being held is controlled by the cam I 32. This cam is also mounted on the shaft 9|. It operates against a roller |33 on the end of a lever |34 which is pivotally mounted at its center |35 on a bracket I 36 mounted on the frame 35. The upper end of this lever V|34 is formed with a slot |31 (see Fig. 12) which is engaged by a pin |38 on the end of an arm |39. This arm is slidably mounted in a bearing |40 When the bar |26 is raised the bolt;- heads |28 resiliently engage against the bottom mounted on the top of the frame 35. A rack |4| projects from the front end of the arm |39 and passes through a supporting bearing |42 mounted on a casing |43, which in turn is supported on a plate |44 mounted between one end of the frame 35 and the transverse brace 35a of the frame. The rack 4| extends completely through the bearing |42 and meshes with a gear |43 freely mounted on a shaft |44. This shaft |44 is pivotally mounted between the side walls |4911 of the casing |43.

A ratchet wheel |45 is xed on the shaft |44 and is engaged by a. pawl |46 mounted on the side of the gear |43. Large wire feeder wheels |41 are mounted on the shaft |44. These 5 large wire feeder wheels |41 are cooperative with 5 smaller wheels |48 which are rotatively supported on the ends of 5 arms |49 which are pivotally mounted on a rod |59. The arms |49 have tail ends |5| by which they may be manually pivoted to disengage the wire feeder rollers |41 and 146. For each arm |49 there is a spring |52 which acts between the arm |49 and the casing |43 to urge the rollers |41 and |48 resiliently together. A bar |53 is mounted between the side Walls |43a of the casing |43 and supports 5 guide tubes |54 for 5 strands of wire. These 5 strands of wire come from the 5 wire spools 29. These wire spools 29 are sup-ported upon a pair of spaced arms |56, These spaced arms have numerous branches between which the rolls of wire may be supported. The wires extend downwards and are threaded through openings in a bar |51 mounted between the arms |56. The arms |56 are supported upon the frame 35. The wires from the wire rolls 29 then engage between a solid surface drum |58 and 5 grooved wheels |59. These grooved wheels are mounted on a shaft |69 supported between the arms |56. The roller |58 is supported on the free ends of a pair of end pivotally mounted arms l6| which are pivotally mounted at their upper ends by pintles |62 to the side arms |56,

The tubes 54 are in line with additional tubes |63 which extend through a bar |64 mounted on the front wall of the casing |43. The casing |43 comprises the said front wall, a bottom wall which is mounted on the plate |44, and the end walls |43a. On the front face of the front wall of the casing |43 there is xedly mounted a plate |65 supported at its ends and slightly spaced along its center to provide a passage for a cutting blade or knife |66. On the upper end of the plate |65 there is a horizontally extending plate portion |65a above which there freely rests a b-ar |61. This bar |61 is formed with grooves |66 aligned with the tubes |63 for guiding and holding the wire. The bar |61 is supported upon the front arm of a frame |69. The front arm of this frame is formed with a pair of spaced openings through which bolts |18 pass. These bolts connect with the bar |61. Expansion springs |1| are arranged coaxially on the bolts |18 and resiliently urge the bar |61 downwards against the portion |6511. The frame |69 is pivotally mounted on a rod |12 which is supported in vertical arms |12a mounted on the plate |44. The frame |69 has one of its side arms formed with a rearward extending portion |6911 which is pivotally connected with a link |15, in turn pivotally connected with the forward end of an arm |16 pivotally mounted by a pintle |11 supported on one of the arms |56. The rear end of the arm |16 has a wheel |18 engaging a wire release cam |19 mounted on the shaft 9|.

The 5 wires 29 which are threaded through the guide tubes |54 and |63 and which engage between the wire feeding wheels |48 and |41, are fed forwards by the cam |32 pivoting the lever |34 rearwards to move the rack |4| towards the left in Fig. 12. The amount of wire fed forwards is controlled by a screw |88 which is threadedly engaged through the lever |34 and which abuts the standard |49. The normal position of the lever |34 may be controlled by adjusting the screw |86 so that the cam |32 does not immediately act against the roller |33 but requires some turning before it engages the roller to pivot the lever |34 anticlockwise. The shape of the cam |32 is egg-shaped but mounted eccentrically on the shaft 9|. The arm |39 is normally urged forwards by a spring |8| acting between the arm 239 and the bearing |42.

The cutter |66 is operated by a bell crank |82. The forward end of this bell crank connects with the back side (the lower edge) of the cutter blade. The bell crank |82 is pivotally supported at the points |33 and its other end connects with a rod |84. The bell crank |82 is urged clockwise by a spring |85 which tends to normally hold the knife |66 in its lowered position. The rod |84 connects with a slide |85 mounted on the shaft 9|. This slide is provided with a roller |86 (see Fig. 3) engaging a cam |81. This cam |81 is circular except that it has one side |31a projecting. When this side |81a engages the roller |86 the rod 84 is moved forwards and the motion is transmitted to move the cutter |66 upwards to simultaneously cut the 5 wires.

When the 5 wires are cut they still extend through the funnel shaped grooves |68 in the bar |61 and it is necessary that the bar |61 be lifted to free the wires. This bar is lifted indirectly by the cam |19. The cam |19 controls pivoting of the lever |16 and the frame |69 (see Fig. 20) which will lift up the front end of the frame to its open position as shown in Fig. 2O when the operating portion of the cam |19 engages the roller |18.

At the front of the wire feeding position there is an abrasive member |99 supported on an arm |91 supported on a post |92, which in turn is supported on the plate |44.

The means for applying soldering flux and solder to spots on the battery cells may be understood from the following: There are 5 flux fingers 39 which are supported by a brace |93 mounted on the frame 3|. These fingers freely extend through openings in the brace 193 and have enlarged heads 36a so that they freely rest on the brace |93. The frame 3| is substantially of rectangular sha-pe and has two openings-the opening |94 and the opening |95-both adjacent each other. Through the opening |94 the flux fingers 39 project downwards and are adapted to engage into a flux holding tray |96 supported by posts |91 (see Fig. 9) upon portions of the frame 35. The solder fingers 32 are freely supported in a transverse brace |98 mounted on the frame 3|. The solder fingers extend through the opening |95 and are adapted to engage into a solder holding tray |99. The solder fingers 32 are freely mounted through the brace |98 and at its ends have enlarged heads 32a so that they may freely rest upon the brace |98.

A weighting means is provided to apply proper pressure to the solder fingers. This weighting means comprises a pair of spaced posts 200 mounted on the frame 3| and supporting a rod 20| upon which there are pivotally mounted 5 pintle 2|0 mounted on a standard 2||.

arms 202. Each of these arms engage over one of the upper ends of the soldering lingers 32. Weights 203 are mounted upon the free ends of the arms 20| in order to supply the pressure required. These weights may be shifted along the arms for varying the pressure until the correct pressure is obtained.V The frame 3| is supported at its rear by a pair of rollers 204 which engage tracks 205 supported on brackets 206 mounted on the frame 35. These brackets 206 are of angle shape having horizontal top portions upon which the tracks 205 areA mounted and vertical side portions which extend downwards and are attached to the frame 35. The frame 3| is supported at the front by a bar 201 which extends forwards from its central part. This bar 201 rests upon a roller 208 rotatively mounted on the upper end of a bell crank 209 which is pivotally supported at its center by a The lower end of the bell crank 209 connects with a lrod 2|2 which extends through both the front Wall and the rear wall of the frame 35. This rod connects with a slide 2 I3 (see Fig. 3) slidably arranged on the shaft 9|. A roller V2|4 engages a camV 2|5 mounted on the shaft 9|. This cam is of the shape clearly shown in Fig. 21 compris- 1 ing a central substantially circular portion 2|5a nected at spaced positions to the rear face of theV frame 3|. These arms 2H each connect with a lever 2 8. Each of these levers are pivotally supported by pintles 2|9 intermediate of their ends on standards 220 mounted on the frame 35. The lowerrends of the levers 2|8 are provided with rollers 22| (see Fig. 21) engaging cam grooves.

222a. These cam grooves are in cams 222 fixed on the shaft 9|. There must be suitable heat for keeping the solder in the solder container |99 Y molten. This heat may be supplied by suitable gas burners. One type of gas burner is shown Vin Fig. 9. In this figure there is a gas burner 224 receiving a supply of gas from Vthe pipe 225', Yand adapted to shootrflames against'the solder container.

Y positions immediately adjacent the wire feeding' I supplying fingers.

'Iheilux supply fingers 30 are arranged at position. 'I'he solder supplying fingers 32 are arranged in positions immediately adjacent the flux Both the solder and flux supplying lingers are formed Yin a'manner sov that the solder and flux will adhere tok them. The action of the fingers consists in alternately dipping into the supply of flux and solder and then touching spots on the battery cells;

'Ihe ejector vof thenished cells comprises a longitudinally extending bar 230 which is supported by a rod 23| and another rod 232 mounted on the ends thereon. These rods pass through vertical posts 233 mounted on a brace 234 supported from the frame 35. The bar 230 has 5 downwardV depending fingers 235 which extend Y downwards and whichlare adapted'to engage against the rear ends ofthe battery cells on the f I conveyor and force them forwards olf the con- 'y veyor. 'Ihe rod 232 has a rear post support 238.

'veyor 25 clockwise.

Its rear end isfpivotally and slidably' coifme'cted with a lever 231 which is pivotally mounted atits bottom end by a pintle 238 supported on a standard 239. Intermediate of its ends the lever 231v has a roller 240 which engages a cam 24| mounted on the vshaftil. AvspringV 242 acts between the lever 237 andthe post 233for normally urging the rod 232 forward. The cam 24| controls the forward motion of the rodr233. When the drawings) to deliver 'the` nished batteries.` Between the rolls 245 and 246 there is a support` plate 248 the purpose ofY which is to prevent the endless conveyor 33 from sagging at this area. This is the area upon which the finished cells 26 are discharged.

Before the finished cells are discharged mechanism is necessary for opening the clamps 28 to release the cells. This mechanism comprisesV merely a stationary cam 250 (see Fig. 19). This cam is merely in the form of a rod having a curved end 25011 against which the lower ends of the clamps 28 may engage to cause the clamps to open (see Fig. 19). This cam 250 extends over to and meets the top of a wheel 25| mounted on the shaft 40a. This wheel 25| comprises a continuation o-f thercam 250 tol vmaintain the clamps 28 n their open position until after they have passed around the end of the conveyor. 1 This is to insure that the nished cells are properlyrremoved. Should a cell not be removed there is an opportunity toI remove it before the clamp 28 closes.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The operation may be best understood `by Carefully considering Fig. 21 which illustrates the essential cams in their correct timed positions. Rotations from the motor 61 are transmitted to the chain 1|, to the wheel 12, to the shaft 13, and then through the worm gears 15 and 93 to the shaft 9|. The contact between the faces of the disc 16 and the gear 12 is frictional so that rotations may also be transmitted from the shaft 13 to the shaft 'l1 if the frictional resistance is not too great. The fr'ctional drive may be controlled by adjusting the nut 8|. The frictional resistance is Vcontrolled by the boltV 86 acting against one of the pegs of the endless conveyor. When the bolt 86 is in its raised position the endless conveyor is held so that it cannot move, and then slippage takes place at theY friction clutch l2, '16.Y

The battery cells are stacked in the feed chute 2l and they extend downwards to the endless conveyor as shown in Fig. 5f. From this position the first thing that takes place during the operation of the machine is that the cam projection Y90a. of the 'cam Y90 engagesfagainst the roller 95 Ymoving the rod 96 forwards and pivoting the bell crank 01 and moving the bolty 86a down-V wards to open the latch 86; Instantly rotations are transmitted from the shaft 13 to the shaft TI so that thergear 78- turns, the chain 83 is moved, and indirectly the shaft 40 rotates. This rotation is transmitted to move the endless conjection 90a rides free of the roller 95 so that ,the spring |0| returns the latch 86 to its initial po- An instant later the pro `and then it cornes to rest.

sition. The'conveyor continues its forward motion until the next peg strikes the latch 83 During this period the battery cells 25 were feeding into the endless conveyor and now there are 5 battery cells 26 located at the wire feeding position of the machine, that is, a position immediately to the front of the 5 cells or wire feed rollers |41, |48.

The shaft 9| now turns clockwise for a distance of approximately 45, during which period the conveyor comes to rest. Then the projection |2511. of the cam |24 engages the roller |23 and indirectly causes the 5 clips on the endless conveyor at the wire feeding position to pen, and simultaneously rigidly holds the 5 sections of the endless conveyor at this position. This operation may be traced in Fig. 12. The roller |23 will cause the rod |20 to move rearwards, which in turn will pivot the bell crank frame I2 so that the bars lll and force the pegs |||l and |21 upwards. This raises the bar |31 which engages the arms .2313` of the wire clamps to open the clamps. This also raises the bar |28 which causes the resiliently supported headed bolts |28 to engage the tracks 43 and force the 5 conveyor sections 25a tightly against the track 59.

The cam |24 will stay in operation for a period of about of rotation of the shaft 9|. During this period the wire feeder cam |32 goes into operation. The operation consists in the cam |32 engaging the roller |33 to pivot the lever |34 and move the bar |39 and the rack |4| rearwards. The rack |4| turns the gear |43' clockwise and this motion is transmitted to the ratchet |45 to turn the shaft |44 clockwise. This causes the Wire feeding wheels |41 to turn clockwise and feed the wires 29 forward, the distance depending upon the initial position of the roller |33 which may be controlled by the screw |80. When the cam |32 permits the roller |33 to seek its original position the wires 29 will not be affected as then the ratchet |43 merely idles over the ratchet wheel |45.

The wire cutting cam |81 now goes into operation. By this time the shaft will have turned approximately The projecting portion |81a engages the roller |88 to move the rod |84 forwards, to pivot the bell crank |82, and to move the cutter i upwards. The 5 wires are cut between the bars |64 and |81.

After the wires are cut and the shaft has turned approximately 270 the wire release cam |19 goes into operation. This cam engages the roller |18 which operates the levers |18, the frame |59, to lift the bar |81 so that the wires which have been fed forwards to the 5 lcells are free from the funnels |58. It should be noted that after approximately a turn of slightly less than 180 of the shaft 5| the cam |24 will operate to permit the clamps 28 to grip the wires that have been fed forwards. This gripping operation takes place immediately before the wire cutting cam |31 goes into operation. It should be noted that the 5 short lengths of wire are now being held adjacent the 5 battery cells. Upon completion of the 360 rotation of the shaft 9| the carriage stop cam 90 will act to release the latch 86 so that the carriage moves forwards. It is during this forward motion of the carriage that the wire release cam |19 is still in operation so that all of the battery cells with the newly fed wires are moved out from the wire feeding position. After they are moved out from this position the wire feeding cam |19 causes the return of the bar |31 to its original position, and thus prior lto the new cells.

During the 360 rotation of the shaft 9| the cams 22.2, 2|5 and 24| are caused to operate to cause different portions of the machine to function. This operation is entirely independent of the operation of the cams 90, |24, |32, |81 and |19, except for the fact that this operation must take place during that period in which the conveyor is stationary.

The cams 222 and 2|5 operate simultaneously. The cams 222 act to move the frame 3| forwards and rearwards during one turn of the shaft 9|. During this forward and rearward motion the cam 2|5 acts to tip the front end of the frame 3| downwards at the beginning and at the end of the forward and rearward motion of the frame. In the downward position of the frame 3| at the start of the operation the 5 flux fingers 30 are dipping into the flux in the container |96. At this period the 5 soldering fingers 32 are dipping into the container |95. The cam 2|5 is a rapid acting cam, while the cam 222 is a slow acting cam. The cam 215 cooperates with the roller 2|4 to move the rod 2|2 to pivot the bell crank 209 and to lift the front end of the frame 3| upwards. Then the cams 202 cooperate with the rollers 22| on the levers 2|8 which are connected with the links 2|1 to move the frame 3| forwards. It should be noted that the uX iingers 3| and the solder fingers 32 are so lifted over the front edge of the flux container and the solder container. When the frame 3| reaches its forward position the cam 2|5 acts again, but this time to lower the front end of the frame 3| so that the 5 flux fingers 30 and the 5 solder carrying fingers 32 each engage 5 cells.

The rst group of 5 cells receive the flux treatment, the 5 flux fingers dropping 5 drops of flux on the ends of the cut wires 29 on the 5 battery cells 25 which are in the endless conveyor 25 adjacent this position. Simultaneously, the 5 soldering conveying fingers 32 are dropping 5 drops of solder on the ends of the cutter wires 29 on 5 cells in the endless conveyor 25 which are adjacent this soldering position. It should be remembered that both in the flux applying position and in the soldering positions the out wires 29a are being rmly held by the clamps 28 in position relative to the cells 26a.

Between the soldering position of the endless conveyor and the ejection position of the finished cells there is an area in which the solder is permitted to cool. The'ejector cam 24| operates during the period that the endless conveyor is stationary. It operates by engaging the roller 240 on the lever 231 which operates the ejector rod 232, the rod 230 and the ejector fingers 235. These fingers pass in between the sections 25a of the endless conveyor (see Fig. 4) and push the finished cells on to the conveyor 33. At the ejecting position the clamps 28 are opened because of the cam 259 (see Fig. 19).

The operation of the machine is continuous with the battery cells being delivered to the inachine by the feed chute 28 and the finished cells being delivered on the conveyor 233.

While I have illustrated and described my invention with some degree of particularity, I realiZe that in practice various alterations therein may be made. I therefore reserve the right and privilege of changing the form of the details of construction or otherwise altering the arrangement of the correlated parts Without departing 'TOI from the spirit orthe scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new andV desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. .In a soldering machine, a flexible endless conveyor, meansfor holding battery cells and the like on said conveyor in predetermined relative iixed positions, and a plurality of conductor wire clamps on said conveyor for holding a conductor Wire against each battery Ycell on said conveyor in a relatively fixed position, each of saidY clamps having a movable member by which the clamp may be opened, and means external of .and stationary relative to saidV conveyor for moving said member of each clamp to open the clamp so .that the clamp may receive said conductorwire, said endless conveyor comprising a plurality of L-shaped sections transversely adjacent each other and pivotally connected with links and adapted to receive the battery cells transversely between adjacent vertical arms of the L-shapes and on the horizontal arms and each of said clamps being on one Yofsaid sections arranged so that said movable member projects therefrom to be in the path of said latter means during the motion of the endless conveyor.

2. In a soldering'machine, a flexible endless .conveyor for battery cells and the like, and a plurality of conductor wire clamps on said conveyor for holding a conductor Wire against each battery cell on said conveyor, each of said endless conveyors comprising a plurality of L- shaped sections transversely adjacent each other and pivotally connected with links and adapted to receive the battery cells transversely between adjacent vertical arms of the L-shapes and on the horizontal arms, each of said L-shaped conveyorY sections having side ilanges, a track beneath Va section of said endless conveyor, tracks mounted on said side flanges and engaging upon said track, said clamps comprisingan inverted L-shaped member the top arm of which is adapted to clamp the conductor wire against a portion of said L-shaped section, the vertical arm of which is slidably mounted on said L- shaped section, and resilient means for urging said clamp closed,

3. In a soldering machine, a flexible endless conveyor, means for holding battery cells and the like on said conveyor in predetermined relative fixed positions, a plurality of conductor Wire clamps on said conveyor for holding a conductor wire against each battery cell on said conveyor in aYV relatively xed position, each of said clamps having a movable member by which the clamp may be opened, and means external of and stationary relative to said conveyor for moving said member of each clamp. to open the clamp so that the clamp may receive said conductor Wire, and said means for opening said Wire clamps being along a section of said conveyor to comprise Va wire feeding position for conductor Wires to the clamps, said means for opening the clamps comprising a linkage system one end of which is adapted to engage against the movable member of the clamps for opening same, and a cam for controlling the other end of the linkage system.

4. In a soldering machine, a iiexible endless conveyor, means for holding battery cells and the like on said conveyor in predetermined relative fixed positions, a plurality of conductor Wire clamps on said conveyor for holding a conductor `wire against each battery cell on said conveyor in arelatively fixed position, each of said clamps having a movable member by which the clamp maybe opened, and means external of and stationary relative to said conveyor for moving said member of each clamp to open the clamp so that the clamp may receive said conductor Wire, said means forY opening said Wire Y clamps being along a section of said conveyor at a Wire feeding position,means for feeding conductor wires through said open clamps and adjacent said battery cells, and means for returning said Ymembers to their initial` positions for closing said open clamps for holding said Wires in position on said conveyor and against said battery cells, and means for cutting said clamped wires to a desired length.

5. In Va soldering machine, a exible endless conveyor, means for holding battery cells and the like on said conveyor in predetermined relative iixed positions, a plurality of conductor Wire clamps on said conveyor for holding a conductor Wire against each battery cell on said conveyor in a relatively fixed position, each of said clamps having a movable member by which the clamp may be opened, and means external of and stationary relative to said conveyor for moving said member of each clamp to open the clamp so that the clamp may receive said conductor wire, said means for opening said wire clamps being along a section of said conveyor at a Wire feeding position, means for feeding conductor wires through said open clamps and adjacent said battery cells, and means for returning said members to their initial positions'for closing said open clamps for holding said Wires in position on said conveyor and against said battery cells, and means for cutting said clamped wires to a desired length, comprising a cutter blade for the wires, and means for moving said cutter blade. Y

6. A soldering machine comprising a flexible endless conveyor for holding battery cells or the like, means for causing said conveyor to progressively move forwards in steps of a predetermined number of battery cells, a plurality of conductor wire clamps on said conveyor for holding a conductor Wire against each battery cell,`

each of said clamps having a movable member by which the clamp may be opened, and means external of and stationary relative to said conveyor for moving said member, of each clamp to open the clamp for receiving said conductor Wire, and said means for opening said Wire battery cells, means for applying solder to said Y spots, and means for opening said clamps after said solder has hardened.

'7. A soldering machine comprising a exible endless conveyor for holding battery cells or the like, means for causing said conveyor to progressively move forwards in steps of a predetermined number of battery cells, a plurality of conductor Wire clamps on said conveyor for holding a conductor wire against each battery cell, each of said clamps having a movable member by which the clamp may be opened, and means external of and stationary relative to said conveyor for moving said member, of each clamp to and said means for opening said wire clamps being along a section of said conveyor at a wire feeding position, means for feeding conductor wires through said opened clamps and adjacent said battery cell while the conveyor is stationary, means for cutting said clamped wires to a desired length, means for applying soldering flux to spots on said conductor Wires and battery cells, means for applying solder to said spots, means for opening said clamps after said solder has hardened, and means for rigidly holding that section of the conveyor at the wire feeding position only while said conveyor is stationary.

8. A soldering machine comprising a flexible endless conveyor for holding battery cells or the like, means for causing said conveyor to progressively move forwards in steps of a predetermined number of battery cells, a plurality of conductor wire clamps on said conveyor for holding a conductor Wire against each battery cell, each of said clamps having a movable member by which the clamp may be opened, and means external of and stationary relative to said conveyor for moving said member, of each clamp to open the clamp for receiving said conductor wire, and said means for opening said wire clamps being along a section of said conveyor at a wire feeding position, means for feeding conductor wires through said opened clamps and adjacent said battery cell While the conveyor is stationary, means for cutting said clamped wires to a desired length, means for applying soldering flux to spots on said conductor wires and battery cells, means for applying solder to said spots, means for opening said clamps after said solder has hardened, and an abrasive member at a position before said Wire feeding position for cleaning spots on said cells at which said conductor wires will rest.

9,; In a soldering machine, a conveyor for holding battery cells, means for causing said conveyor to progressively move forwards in steps of a predetermined numberof battery cells, a plurality of conductor wire clamps on said conveyor for holding a conductor wire against each cell, a container of ux and a container of molten solder, ngers for engaging in said flux and other fingers for engaging in said solder, means for periodically moving said lingers from said llux and said solder to touch against areas of said conductor wires and cells, and means for opening said clamps located at a position along said endless conveyor past said solder applying position and sufficiently spaced therefrom to permit the applied solder to become cool and sufficiently hard to be capable of holding the conductor wire soldered to the cell without the necessity of a clamp to hold the conductor wire rigidly in position.

10. In a soldering machine, a conveyor for holding battery cells, means for causing said conveyor to progressively move forwards in steps of a predeterminedY number of battery cells, a plurality of conductor wire clamps on said conveyor for holding a conductor wire against each cell, a container of uX and a container of molten solder, ngers for engaging in said flux and other fingers for engaging in said solder, means for periodically moving said fingers from said flux and said solder to touch against areas of said conductor wires and cells, means for opening said clamps located at a position along said endless conveyor past said solder applying position and suliiciently spaced therefrom to permit the applied solder to become cool and sufciently hard to be capable of holding the conductor wire soldered to the cell Without the necessity of a clamp to hold the conductor wire rigidly in position, and means for ejecting the cells with the conductor wires soldered to them from said endless conveyor subsequent to the time that said wire clamps are opened.

ALFRED SCHMIDT. 

